Japanese Fall Festival
The Japanese Fall Festival is a celebration of authentic Japanese culture highlighting Springfield’s sister city relationship with Isesaki, Japan (formed in 1986). Each year, a delegation of Isesaki citizens travels to Springfield to contribute to the festival through demonstrations and interactions with attendees.
2023 Japanese Fall Festival
Fri., Sept. 8, 5-10pm
Sat., Sept. 9, 11am-10pm
Sun., Sept. 10, 11am-6pm
Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden
Celebrate Japanese culture and our sister city relationship with Isesaki, Japan. Members get in free! Check back later for more information.
VENDOR INFORMATION2022 Japanese Fall Festival
Financial assistance for this project has been provided by the Musgrave Foundation; the Community Foundation of the Ozarks; and the Missouri Arts Council, a state agency.
Springfield Sister Cities Association, in partnership with the Springfield- Greene County Park Board, proudly presents the 26th Japanese Fall Festival on Friday-Sunday, September 9-11, 2022, in the beautiful Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden located within the extraordinary Springfield Botanical Gardens at Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park, 2400 S. Scenic Ave., Springfield, Mo.
Hours and Admission
Tickets available at the gate; cash or card accepted.
| Fri., Sept. 9 | 5 p.m.-10 p.m. | $8/adult | $3/child ages 3-12 |
| Sat., Sept. 10 | 11 a.m.-10 p.m. | $12/adult | $3/child ages 3-12 |
| Sun., Sept. 11 | 11 a.m.-6 p.m. | $8/adult | $3/child ages 3-12 or person in cosplay |
Pets welcome! Standard park rules apply.
MEMBERS GET IN FREE
Members of Springfield Sister Cities Association receive free entry all weekend. An annual membership ranges in price from $10 for a student to $60 for a family; join and view additional membership benefits at peacethroughpeople.org/membership.
Performers
Seiran Chiba is a world-renowned large-scale Japanese calligraphy (shodo) artist from Fukushima, Japan. She revolutionized the art of shodo by taking it outside and then by using it as therapy, particularly for survivors of the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster. Her modern approach is inspired by hope and peace.
Uzumaru is a Yosakoi dance team from San Jose’s Japantown. Yosakoi is a traditional Japanese dance style that blends traditional Japanese choreography with modern and folk music. It is performed at festivals and events across Japan, typically by large teams.
Yasu Ishida is a magician and storyteller originally from Ube, Japan. He combines traditional Japanese theatre, music, origami, magic and storytelling to bring the enchanting land of Japan to his audiences. He is also serving as the festival’s main emcee!
KiRa-KiRa Springfield is a local cosplay (costume role play) group which performs cover dance routines, particularly dance routines from the popular Japanese series, Love Live!
Kizuna is a local group that works to create bonds (Kizuna) between Japanese and American cultures. They’re available to facilitate Japanese culture workshops on a variety of topics throughout the year. You can also find them leading the festival’s tea café, tea ceremonies, and yukata try-on tent.
Lancaster Station is a vocal group featuring Ron Marshall, Sydney Young and Sheila Davis. They perform complex harmonies covering hits from the 60’s-80’s and some 2000’s. They’re headed to perform at Isesaki’s city festival later this month! Donate to their trip at peacethroughpeople.org/lancaster.
Springfield Cosplay was formed during the 2015 Japanese Fall Festival and works to connect cosplayers of all ages and skill levels. Costume role play (cosplay) is an art that originated in Japan. Stop by their tent to learn more about their activities throughout the year.
Osuwa Taiko was founded in 1986 by Grandmaster Daihachi Oguchi of Suwa, Japan, St. Louis’ sister city. They perform Japanese ensemble drumming on large drums (taiko) to promote and preserve the art and foster cultural understanding. Children’s workshop to be announced!
Isesaki Delegates
Springfield’s Japanese sister city, Isesaki, sends delegates to participate in the festival each year. Stop by the culture tent to meet them and learn what they have to share about their culture!
Miyoko Yoshida – Wendy Rios and Curt Krafka
Chikashi Kawano – Springfield Host TBD
Chiemi Nagaoka – Hosted by Dennis & Janet McBride
Interested in hosting? Click here to learn more!
Activities
In addition to numerous vendor and artisan booths featuring wares authentic to Japanese culture, guests will enjoy the Nihon bunka taiken tent (Japanese culture experience tent), the omiyage and dagashi tents (souvenirs and snacks tents), and concessions.
The festival offers cultural opportunities geared toward children including an activity area featuring traditional Japanese games and crafts led by Japanese language students from Kickapoo High School. These opportunities end by dusk each evening.
Workshops
*Tea ceremony workshop registration is accepted at the souvenir market only. Space is very limited; we recommend that you register early.
Workshop registration does not include the price of festival admission.
Cosplay
Cosplay Day is Sunday, September 11; come to the festival in your cosplay (costume role play) to receive $3 admission!
Cosplay activities in partnership with Springfield Cosplay to be announced.
Candlelight Walk
Beginning at dusk on Friday and Saturday, September 9 and 10, hundreds of torches light the garden pathways and soft Japanese music fills the air to create a romantic strolling atmosphere. Purchase a wishing lantern and set your dreams afloat on one of the koi ponds.
Schedule
Volunteer
Hundreds of volunteers are needed to work the Japanese Fall Festival; volunteers receive free entry to the festival on the day of their shift.
Vend
New vendor applications are welcome; proposed booths must be authentic to Japanese culture for consideration. The deadline to apply is Thursday, August 25.
Sponsorships
Help bring this cultural event to the community and take advantage of its high visibility! Pledge by Wed., June 26 for guaranteed inclusion in print materials. To pledge or learn more, please visit peacethroughpeople.org/sponsorship.
| BRONZE $600 | SILVER $1,500 | GOLD $3,000 | PLATINUM $6,000 | PRESENTING $20,000 |
| Name Listing 2 weekend passes 2 food tickets | Small Logo 4 weekend passes 4 food tickets | Medium Logo 8 weekend passes 8 food tickets | Large Logo 10 weekend passes 10 food tickets | Prominent Large Logo 20 weekend passes 20 food tickets |
Sponsors
PLATINUM
GOLD
SILVER
BRONZE
Chase
Guaranty Bank
Tony and Linda Shalloup
About
The Japanese Fall Festival is a celebration of authentic Japanese culture highlighting Springfield’s 36-year-old sister city relationship with Isesaki, Japan. In typical years, Springfield and Isesaki exchange performers to entertain and share culture at each other’s festivals. These exchanges were cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19. We are so excited to resume the exchange this year!
Springfield Sister Cities Association donates half of the Japanese Fall Festival’s admission proceeds to the maintenance and development of the Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden, sponsored by Simmons Bank. The remaining proceeds benefit cultural programs which further Springfield Sister Cities Association’s mission of “Peace through People.”
For more information regarding the Japanese Fall Festival or Springfield Sister Cities Association, please contact us.